• 보존과학회지
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.265-276
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• 2022

A long-term monitoring investigation at Sarushima Battery (Kanagawa, Japan), which is one of the modernization heritages was conducted from 2017.06 to 2020.12. The investigation of the temperature and relative humidity (RH), measurement of the amount of brick decay, and X-ray diffraction analysis of the brick decay was conducted to understand in detail the environment in which the historical brick structure, the state of deterioration, identify the factors of deterioration. Furthermore, it was discussed whether the suitability of these investigation methods for assessing the status, identifying the level of deterioration and the factors that led to deterioration at the historical brick heritages. It was found that the brick deterioration at the site progressed especially in two periods: in April, and from June to August. These periods coincided with the period when the RH inside the structure decreased, and the Toyo-gumi bricks were in the process of absorbing moisture. Several different types of salts were detected in brick decay, especially thenardite, which is considered highly hazardous and destructive during periods when the amount of brick decay increased. Therefore, the RH in the structure and the salts present in the bricks were identified as one of the factors in the deterioration of the bricks at the site. The methods used in this study are appropriate as the initial survey methods for investigating the current conditions and identifying the causes of deterioration because it is possible to understand the environment within the modernization heritages, grasp the details of deterioration progression, and identify the characteristics of deterioration progression and its factors through long-term investigation using the simple methods.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권8호
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• pp.3046-3053
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• 2023

Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic agent, poses a serious health hazard when inhaled or ingested in significant amounts. The water of the Padma river will be used as a tertiary coolant for the soon-to-be-commissioned 'Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant'. Hence, it is important to assess the radiological status of the river prior to the commission of this power plant. Therefore, for the first time, 25 samples of water were collected from various locations of the Padma River and analyzed for radon concentration using the RAD H₂O (DURRIDGE) radon monitoring device. The radon concentrations were found in the range from 0.077 ± 0.036 to 0.494 ± 0.211 Bq/L with a mean of 0.250 ± 0.093 Bq/L. All the concentrations were found to be below the recommended limits of WHO (100 Bq/L) and USEPA (11.1 Bq/L). The mean annual effective dose due to the radon exposure via inhalation and ingestion pathways were 0.638 µSv/y and 0.629 µSv/y, respectively, which were all well below the annual effective dose recommended by WHO (0.1 mSv/y). Since Bangladesh lacks a national safety limit of radon in water, this pioneering study provides baseline data on radon levels for the environment around Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.56-61
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• 2023

A 5-month-old female domestic short-haired cat presented with a history of seizure episodes for two months following an animal bite injury to the head. There were no remarkable findings on physical and neurological examination or blood analysis. Computed tomography revealed a fracture of the left parietal bone with an inward displacement of the bone fragment while magnetic resonance imaging revealed an enlarged temporal horn of the left lateral ventricle and a pseudomeningocele compressing the adjacent cerebral parenchyma. Subsequently, cerebrospinal fluid analysis results were normal. The patient was diagnosed with traumatic brain injury (TBI), with subsequent post-traumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) and pseudomeningocele. Despite treatment with phenobarbital and levetiracetam, seizures were not sufficiently controlled. Craniectomy for bone fragment removal and duraplasty were performed after a week. The patient then returned to normal condition with no further seizure activity. On repeated MRI two months after discharge, the hydrocephalus of the lateral ventricle and pseudomeningocele were enlarged; however, the patient maintained a good clinical status without any neurological signs. To the best of our knowledge, PTH and intracranial pseudomeningoceles have not yet been reported in cats. PTH and pseudomeningocele are among the complications of TBI and may not have any significant relevance with the clinical signs in this case. Thus, to broaden our knowledge about PTH and pseudomeningocele in cats, we describe serial changes in the clinical findings of this cat over the treatment period.

• 환경생물
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.604-614
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• 2022

본 연구는 2019, 2020년 서천과 세종에서 제비의 번식이 확인된 둥지 63개(서천 23, 세종 40)의 좌표를 대상으로 800m 내 제비의 서식지 현황과 잠재적 먹이원 발생량 변화를 분석하였다. 연구지역 내 제비의 서식지 구성을 확인한 결과 세종이 서천에 비해 다양한 서식지 유형을 보였으며, 다양한 우점군의 출현이 확인되어 제비의 잠재적 먹이원인 비행성 곤충의 발생에 있어 유리한 서식지 요소로 가진 것으로 확인되었다. 잠재적 먹이원 발생량은 서천은 인가와 하천, 세종은 하천에서의 발생량이 가장 높았다. 잠재적 먹이원 발생량은 서식지 유형에 따라 발생시기에 차이를 보였다. 본 연구는 제비의 번식장소 주변의 서식지 유형을 파악하고, 해당 서식지에서 발생되는 잠재적 먹이원의 발생시기와 발생량 비교를 통해 제비의 서식지 보호 및 유치에 필요한 기초자료로 제공하고자 한다.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.163-171
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• 2023

The present study aimed to determine the infection status of trematode metacercariae and adults in cyprinoid fish from the Khun Thale Swamp in Surat Thani, Southern Thailand, with epidemiologic and faunistic viewpoints. In 2020, 577 fish in 15 species were collected in the summer (February-April) and rainy (September-November) seasons. Fish were individually examined for trematode metacercariae in the whole body and adults in the gastrointestinal tract using a stereomicroscope. Three species of digenetic trematode metacercariae, i.e., Haplorchis taichui, Haplorchoides mehrai, and Centrocestus formosanus, were detected in the muscle, fin, and/or scale of fish. Two species of adult flukes, including Rohdella siamensis and Helostomatis cyprinorum, were collected in the intestines. The prevalence of overall trematode infections was 32.4% (187/577 fish), which was higher in the rainy season (41.4%; 118/285) than in the summer season (23.6%; 69/292). The metacercariae of H. taichui and H. mehrai were detected in 7 fish species each, and those of C. formosanus were found only in Rasbora toneri. The aspidogastrean trematode R. siamensis (adult) was detected in Babonymus gonionotus. A digenean species, H. cyprinorum (adult), was found in Labiobarbus siamensis and Osteochilus vittatus. The present study has first confirmed that the metacercariae of heterophyid flukes, including H. taichui, H. mehrai, and C. formosanus, and adults of R. siamensis (Aspidogastrea) and H. cyprinorum (Digenea) are infected in some species of the cyprinoid fish from the Khun Thale Swamp in Surat Thani, Thailand.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.205-212
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the behaviors associated with discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in Indonesia and to determine the factors affecting discrimination. Methods: Secondary data from the 2017 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey were analyzed using a cross-sectional design. Discrimination was assessed based on the questions (1) "Should children infected with HIV/AIDS be allowed to attend school with non-infected children?" and (2) "Would you buy fresh vegetables from a farmer or shopkeeper known to be infected with HIV/AIDS?" Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the factors affecting discrimination, with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) used to show the strength, direction, and significance of the associations among factors. Results: In total, 68.9% of 21 838 individuals showed discrimination towards PLHA. The odds of discrimination were lower among women (aOR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.55 to 0.71), rural dwellers (aOR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.89), those who understood how HIV is transmitted from mother to child (aOR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.89), and those who felt ashamed of their own family's HIV status (aOR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.61). The odds were higher among individuals who knew how to reduce the risk of getting HIV/AIDS (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.39), how HIV/AIDS is transmitted (aOR, 3.49; 95% CI, 3.09 to 3.95), and were willing to care for an infected relative (aOR, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.47 to 3.13). A model consisting of those variables explained 69% of the variance in discrimination. Conclusions: Gender, residence, knowledge, and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS were explanatory factors for discrimination against PLHA. Improvements in HIV/AIDS education programs are needed to prevent discrimination.

• 유통과학연구
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• 제21권7호
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• pp.51-63
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• 2023

Housing is not only a basic requirement, but also a method to maintain stability and improve living. In the period of rapid social development which has a significant impact on the aging population, the housing issue is an impediment to Gen Y in Asia. Therefore, solving the housing conundrum is the most effective solution to other social problems. Purpose: This research is conducted to investigate factors influencing housing-option decisions of Gen Y and proposes recommendations to them as well as Governments and the real estate investors. Research design, data, and methodology: The Theory of Planned Behavior was employed with the expanded variables (Financial status, Location, Public services and Government incentives) based on literature review. Results: With 445 valid responses, almost all proposed hypotheses are accepted, which supports the positive interrelationship among variables. In the stage of data processing, we have determined the influence of each factor to the dependent variable "Actual Behavior", thereby helping real estate investors understand their desires, as well as improve the ability to meet customer needs. Conclusion: This is the basis to determine the influence of these factors, thereby providing recommendations to customers and what is more, giving real estate enterprises an insight of customers' demand in order to improve product quality and optimize the benefits of each party.

• Educational Technology International
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.41-63
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• 2005

E-Learning is widely introduced with cyber universities in Korea from 2001 whencyber universities were first authorized by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development. E-learning amplified by cyber university gave a big impact in the campus based university which became the cause for the educational paradigm shift. The changes of status of cyber university shows important trend in college education which was analyzed by enrollment rate, types of cyber university, demography, and study areas. The enrollment rate of cyber universities is ever since 2001 and variety of study areas gives popularity to students. The demography of students is as expected older than traditional students. Female students at the cyber university outnumbered that at campus based university in Korea. For analyzing the trend of e-learning in Korea, there were studies twice in 2001 May-June from 213 faculty members and staff, 630 students and in 2004 May-June with 401 students. Most of e-learning students tent to spend less time yet, students feel more burden with e-learning. Professors tend to load more materials for the e-learning in 2001but in 2004 study, the difference no longer exists. Professors and students feel the academic achievement through e-learning is not as good as from the traditional classes. Difficulties for e-learning in 2001 were the lack of administrative information but in 2004, boring contents and lack of instructional strategies for e-learning. Technical problems still do exist but less serious. Suggestions for e-learning are blended learning, online students prefer video streaming with their own lecturer, new definition of instructor is needed, professional development for content development and online instruction is needed, success story of online learning should be encouraged, guidance for online students needed. The cyber university experiencegave a positive impact on the traditional universities such as rethinking the roles of universities, the quality control of classes, professional development, student oriented educational service of e-learning pedagogy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제61권4호
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• pp.463-470
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• 2023

This study aimed to identify the recent risk factors for Opisthorchis viverrini infection and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to improve disease prevention. The participants were divided into the following 3 groups based on their health status: healthy control (nonOV and nonCCA), those with O. viverrini infection (OV), and those with CCA. A questionnaire was used to explore their lifestyle and behaviors. Multivariate logistic regression and backward elimination were used to identify the significant risk factors. The results showed that the significant risk factors for both O. viverrini infection and CCA were age>50 years (odd ratio (OR)=8.44, P<0.001, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 2.98-23.90 and OR=43.47, P=0.001, 95% CI 14.71-128.45, respectively) and raw fish consumption (OR=8.48, P<0.001, 95% CI 3.18-22.63 and OR=3.15, P=0.048, 95% CI 1.01-9.86, respectively). A history of O. viverrini infection was identified as an additional risk factor for CCA (OR=20.93, P=0.011, 95% CI 2.04-215.10). This study provided an update on the risk factors for O. viverrini infection and CCA. Asymptomatic patients with O. viverrini infection, particularly those>50 years old, should be carefully monitored to prevent CCA.

• 국제학술발표논문집
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• The 4th International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project Management Organized by the University of New South Wales
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• pp.149-156
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• 2011

The performance measurement of construction firms is considered as a competitive advantage to develop and improve their performance to have place in the market and stay able to face the continuous challenge. Egyptian construction firms (ECF) started recently to adopt quality management system (QMS) as a way to develop and improve their performance as previous studies showed. However, measuring that performance to include all the firm's aspects in a competitive way is a crucial process for the ECF's culture. The research is trying to indicate the role of the QMS implementation in measuring performance (MP) through developing a model for measuring performance on the organization level, and explore its impact on the organization that adopt quality management system. This model is based on specific elements and their related indicators which have been derived from national approaches and models of measuring performance (benchmarking, quality awards and six sigma).Elements determination and the status of their real practice has been investigated through a questionnaire to a representative sample of ECF. This model determines the performance level (PL) of the organization that measured by a mean of a point system. Weights of the elements in the point system considered both the elements' importance in the international models and its real practice in the Egyptian construction firms. So, the final outcome of the model reveals the level of firm performance that helps the firm to identify the weak points against the strong ones, Confirm the priorities and identify new opportunities for developing, and Check the position of the company in the market among the others. Another questionnaire has been developed to be distributed on a group of Experts on measuring performance for the purpose of model validation. The majority of surveyed experts agreed that the proposed model can be applied effectively.